World Cup Qualifying Preview: Costa Rica - USA

Following the "SnowClasico," Costa Rica is out to derail the USA's World Cup qualification train.

By Keith Hickey

Sep 5, 2013 1:02:00 AM

Costa Rica is out for revenge.

The Ticos (3-2-1) have come up short in both of their meetings with
the United States (4-1-1) in recent months, losing 1-0 in World Cup
qualifying and the Gold Cup group stage, and the former especially
sticks in the craw of fans in the Central American country. In the
middle of a snow storm, a first-half goal from Clint Dempsey was
enough to seal all three vital Hexagonal points for the Yanks.
Costa Rica later appealed the result, with coach Jorge Luis Pinto
calling it "an embarrassment to football." That appeal was denied
by FIFA.

The failed appeal has only bolstered the feeling of injustice felt
by Costa Ricans, who have taken to hyperbole and petty gamesmanship
ahead of the match. Where U.S. men's national team players were
previously given priority immigration status and private travel
transitions, they now had to wait in line with everybody else, and
walk to their bus surrounded by enraged locals yelling "USA, no
fair play!"

The Costa Rican FA failed to provide the U.S. team with game balls
for training, and left the Yanks to find their own practice
facility after the three recommended sites refused the Stars and
Stripes. Newspaper Al Dia printed a picture of U.S.
manager Jurgen Klinsmann arriving at the airport with the caption
"los sentimos Jurgen, no hay nieve" (sorry Jurgen, no snow).

The off-field sideshow has somewhat overshadowed the facts. The top
two teams in the Hex can virtually (or even literally) book their
tickets to Brazil with good weeks, Costa Rica for the first time
since 2002. A win in San Jose means the U.S. is guaranteed at least
a playoff against New Zealand. An additional win against Mexico in
Columbus and the U.S. will have qualified. Costa Rica isn't quite
as well off, but a win against the USA would put it at the top of
the table, with a game on Tuesday against group whipping boyz
Jamaica while the U.S. slugs it out with Mexico.

The biggest injury concern for the U.S. is red-hot striker Jozy
Altidore. Having scored in six straight U.S. appearances, he did
not fully participate in training on Wednesday despite being
cleared by U.S. medical staff. If he is unable to play on Friday,
Klinsmann will have to decide whether he wants to play one of
stalwarts Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey (set for his 100th cap)
out of position, or start one of Eddie Johnson or Aron Johannsson. Follow GOAL.COM on